Collapsible tube closure



June 26, 1934. w T w K 1,964,104

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CLOSURE Filed Jan. 31, 1934 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Y J Bylawi Attomey Inventor June 26, 1934 w. T. BORTHWICK COLLAPSIBLE TUBECLOSURE Filed Jan. 51, 1934 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 Attomey Patented June 26,1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application January 31,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to closing devices for collapsible tubes such asare used for containinging and dispensing toothpaste, shaving cream andanalogous chemical, medicinal, and/or pharmaceutical preparations.

Needless to say I am aware of the fact that numerous types of closureshave been proposed for use and association with tubes of thisclassification. It follows, therefore, that my primary aim is togenerally improve upon closing devices now known to me by providing onewhich, it ,is believed, is more aptly fitted for the purposes intendedand possesses features which measure up to the requirements and in facttranscends in adaptability similar features in prior art devices.

Briefly stated I have evolved and produced a device characterized bysimplicity and economy -,and depending for its novelty upon the adoptionand use of a hinged swingable closing cap fashioned to fit withprecision upon a coordinated feature of the discharge neck in order toprovide a the desired airtightclosure.

One feature of the invention is predicated upon a hinged cap andassociated discharge neck wherein the neck is formed with a beveledseating projection receivable in a cavity or recess formed in the bottomor under side of the cap in order to efiect a dependable closing action.

Another feature of the invention is predicated upon the adoption and useof a swingable looplike latch or catch mounted on the neck anddetachably connectible with a cam-like keeper carried by the cap so asto securely lock or fasten the cap closed.

A further and more important feature of the invention is predicated uponthe use of a rubher band and cooperating elements permitting the band tobe associated with the hinged end portion of the cap in such a manner asto aid in keeping the cap closed and to hold the cap in a dependableopen position while squeezing the contents of the tube for use.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a collapsible tube embodying thefeatures of the invention as perfected and coordinated in accordancewith my inventive idea, the cap being shown closed in full lines andswung to open position in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view.

Figure 4 is a top plan view with the cap removed.

1934, Serial No. 709,224

neck is somewhat circular in cross sectional dimensions as is evidencedfrom Figure 4. It will be observed however that the neck terminates in abeveled rectangular seating projection 10 which defines a substantiallyrectangular discharge slot through which the ribbon-like portion ofcream or paste is ejected. On the front the neck is formed with a lug 11to which the link 12. is swingably connected. This link serves as afastener or latch. At a diametrically opposite point the neck is formedwith an extension which may well be described as an adapter 13, thishaving its end portion bifurcated and the furcations 14 serving asattaching ears for the cap 15. The cap 15 resembles a dome and in itsunder side is formed with a rectangular recess or cavity 16 as shown inFigure 5 which serves to receive the seating projection 10. The beveledsurfaces of these features 10 and 16 cooperate in forming an effectivesubstantially airtight closure between the discharge neck and the cap.The cap is formed on one side with an attaching shank or arm 17 which ispivotally mounted as at 18 between the attaching ears 14. Diametricallyopposite to the attaching arm the cap is formed with an integralextension '19 which is convenientlyreferred to as a retention element orkeeper. keeper is formed with a notch 20 which forms a keeper seat forreception of the bight portion of the fastening link or latch 12.Obviously the latch is fashioned in shape to permit it to beconveniently attached to the anchoring lug 11 and to allow the bightportion to swing over the keeper 19. Moreoverthe parts are soproportioned that a slight downward stress is brought to bear upon thekeeper through the instrumentality of the link in order to effect atight closing action of the cap on the neck.

It will be observed in Figures 1 and 2 that the cap is formed with apair of complemental buttons 21 which serve as anchoring elements forthe ends of a rubber band 22. This rubber band is stretched around theadapter 13 which is so shaped as to aid in holding it in place and theend portions are attached to buttons As a matter of fact this 21. Theintermediate portions pass over a pair of outstanding diametricallyopposite guides 23 formed integral with the neck. If desired the freeends of the guides may be formed with knobs or the like 24 to facilitatemaintenance of the adjacent portions of the rubber band. By anchoringthe ends of the band on the cap, passing the intermediate portions overthe guides and looping the band around the adapter 13 it is obvious thatwhen the cap i closed the band aids in maintaining it closed. Moreoverit serves as an automatic means to aid in swinging the cap to closedposition as if it were a spring closed cap. Then too when the cap isswung to open position it swings down beyond dead center as shown indotted lines in Figure 1 at which time the rubber band is sufiicientlystretched as to exert the requisite tension on the cap and to hold it inthis position. This prevents the cap from flopping loosely andinterfering with the discharge of the contents of the tube.

This idea of the use of a rubber bandas an accessory to aid in holdingthe closing cap open and to further aid in keeping the cap tightlyclosed is believed to be an innovation in this particular line ofendeavor.. It reveals the development of an appreciable structuralrefinement which, it is believed, is sufliciently ingenious anddependable to justify endorsement of the device by the trade andacceptance by the prospective purchaser. Novelty is therefore predicatedupon the spccial adoption and coordination of the adapter 13, whichserves not only as a retaining device for the rubber band but as themount for the hinged caps. Then, too, the particular position andplacement of the buttons 21 and their associated guides 23 and themanner in which they cooperate with the adapter and the rubber band arefeatures believed to be unique.

Novelty is also thought to reside in the adoption and use of thecentralized cylindrical neck 9 havingthe substantially rectangularbeveled seating element 10 as a feature of distinction wherein saidelement is properly seated in a cavity 16 in the under side of the domelike circular cap 15. This provides the desired rigidity of constructionand permits ductile metal to be adequately employed in securingrequisite rigidity and firmness.

It is further thought that in addition to the feature of permanence ofthe closing cap it is a desirable contribution to the trade and artbecause it has a positive and dependable locking means consisting of thefeatures 11, 12, 19 and 20.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A structure of the class described, a collapsible tube provided witha discharge neck, a permanently attached hingedly mounted closing capfor said neck, the neck being provided with an anchoring lug, the capbeing provided above said lug with an outstanding extension defining akeeper and said extension having a notch forming a keeper seat, togetherwith a closing and fastening link pivotally attached to said lug andengageable with said keeper and its seat.

2. A device of the class described comprising a collapsible tube formedwith a discharge neck, a closing cap for said neck, means hingedlyconnecting said cap with said tube, said cap being provided with a pairof oppositely disposed cooperating band anchoring buttons, and a rubberband attached to the tube and having its end portions looped over andconnected with said buttons.

3. A device of the class described comprising a collapsible tube formedwith a discharge neck, a closing'cap for said neck, means forpermanently and hingedly connecting said cap with said tube, said capbeing provided with a pair of oppositely disposed cooperating bandanchoring elements, and a rubber band attached to the tube and havingits end portion looped over and connected with said elements, said neckbeing provided with a pair of outstanding guides located beneath saidelements and the rubber band being trained over said guides.

4. A device of the class described comprising a collapsible tube formedwith a discharge neck and a pair of attaching ears, a cap cooperablewith said neck and having an arm pivotally fastened between said ears,said cap being provided with band anchoring buttons, said neck beingprovided with coordinated guides, and a rubber band associated with saidears having its free end portion connected detachably with said buttonsand its intermediate portion engaged with said guides for the purposesdescribed.

5. A structure of the class described including a discharge neck for acollapsible tube or the like, a hingedly mounted closing cap on saidneck, the neck being provided with an anchoring lug, the cap beingprovided above said lug with an outstanding extension defining a keeperand said extension having a notch forming a keeper seat, together with aclosing and fastening link pivotally attached to said lug and engageablewith said keeper and its seat.

WILLIAM THORNE BORTHWICK.

